"If a player is going to sweep, it is an option," he said, apparently unaware that it contravenes Law 41.

The law states: "Any significant movement by any fielder after the ball comes into play and before the ball reaches the striker is unfair. In the event of such unfair movement, either umpire shall call and signal dead ball."

If Vaughan insists on trying the ploy, the potential is there for another embarrassing row, such as the Mike Gatting-Shakoor Rana clash on the 1987 tour.

A day's play was lost when then captain Gatting moved a fielder while spinner Eddie Hemmings was coming in to bowl.

Umprie Rana intervened and, after a verbal altercation with the England skipper, refused to carry on until he received an apology.